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TPP Would 'Upgrade' U.S. Trade Pacts, Says U.S. Commerce Chief

Obama Administration Working to Educate Congress on Why Fast-Track Path Is Necessary

By

Laurence Iliff and Anthony Harrup

Feb. 4, 2014 7:00 p.m. ET

MEXICO CITY—U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said Tuesday that the proposed 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership would be an "upgrade" to older deals like the North American Trade Agreement, and that the Obama administration was working to educate some members of Congress on why a fast-track negotiating path is necessary.

"There's bipartisan support for trade promotion authority on the Hill," Ms. Pritzker said in an interview, referring to the "fast-track" process that allows trade...